Namibia: youth-led orgs work with media and government to combat child marriage

On 5 December 2024, 100 Million Namibia, in collaboration with Namibia National Students' Organisation, joined other countries in the world for Global Pledging Week to End Child Marriage. As well as hosting an awareness and advocacy event, the youth-led organisations undertook an extensive media campaign, including national TV, radio, and print.

The awareness-raising event focused on providing education on the issue of child marriages in the Namibian context. An informational discussion with experts and relevant stakeholders was held, with participants including the office of the Ombudsman (a constitutional office), youth-led civil society organisations, and various children and youth leaders. The event helped create a collective stance and commitment to fight child marriages in Namibia. Everyone present took the pledge to end child marriage in Namibia.

“Girls will experience many problems with many impacts… dropping out of school and a lack of empowerment… Just derailing from a proper future.”

Eveline Namupala, 100 Million Namibia (video below)

Campaigners from both 100 Million Namibia and the Namibian National Students' Organisation (NANSO) spoke to a wide variety of media outlets, including Namibia's national breakfast TV show, Good Morning Namibia.

A radio interview also took place with Desert FM, and so far coverage has been included in the national newspaper, The Namibian.